Certain films are simply beyond easy explanation, and this 1970 cult favorite from director Robert Altman is one of them. It's a complex work that brings together many different storylines that seem disconnected at first but ultimately blend together in a strange, very entertaining way. Basically, this comical, surreal crime story follows the investigation into a series of mysterious strangling deaths happening near the Houston Astrodome; the only thing connecting the victims is that they’ve all been covered in bird droppings. The main person of interest, Brewster McCloud (Bud Cort), is an odd recluse obsessed with birds who lives within the stadium's fallout shelter and spends his time building a set of wings so he can fly away – literally escaping capture while also, figuratively speaking, breaking free from the limitations that humanity has placed on itself, conditions similar to what we’ve done to the environment and all the other living things around us, especially birds. As the story progresses, viewers meet a group of unusual characters (played by actors who were not well-known at the time), including Louise (Sally Kellerman), an odd sort of protector or guardian angel, and two women, Suzanne (Shelley Duvall) and Hope (Jennifer Salt), both trying to get close to the innocent Brewster. Trying to solve the case are a cool detective, Frank Shaft (Michael Murphy), and his clumsy partner, Officer Johnson (John Schuck), a team put together by an ambitious politician named Haskell Weeks (William Windom). This unlikely duo is tasked with finding out who killed people like wealthy, prejudiced socialite Daphne Heap (Margaret Hamilton), corrupt narcotics officer Detective Douglas Breen (Bert Remsen), and rich, elderly real estate developer Abraham Wright (Stacy Keach). Adding another layer to the story is an eccentric ornithology professor (Rene Auberjonois) who undergoes his own unusual transformation throughout the film. If that sounds like a bizarre mix of elements, it is; however, in its own peculiar way, it works, with subtle humor and many laugh-out-loud moments, most of which are funny parodies of movie conventions from that era. A particularly hilarious car chase sequence spoofs a similar scene from the action film “Bullitt” (1968). While some aspects feel dated (and probably wouldn't be acceptable in today’s more sensitive filmmaking environment), "Brewster McCloud" remains a unique project from one of cinema’s most original creators. It’s hard to define, but impossible to forget, and it’s definitely worth seeing for movie lovers who appreciate the strange, dark, and very funny. This film certainly won't be for everyone, but those who like unconventional and unusual movies will find this a real treasure.

Source on TMDB